Four years after his death, former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan still lacks a permanent resting place. Chun led a military coup in 1979, suppressed pro-democracy movements, and ruled the country from 1980 to 1988. Citizens and officials continue to debate how and where his remains should rest, keeping Chun burial in the spotlight.
A family representative said they continue discussing whether to keep Chun’s body at his Seodaemun-gu home. Lee Soon-ja, his widow, currently owns the house. Legal disputes complicate decisions because Chun still owed significant penalties to the state. Chun burial plans remain uncertain due to these ongoing debates.
Chun committed insurrection, homicide, and bribery, and the Supreme Court upheld a life sentence. This record prevents the government from allowing him burial in a national cemetery. Although a later pardon relieved some consequences, Chun still owed roughly 86 billion won at his death, intensifying controversy around Chun burial.
Authorities debate whether to confiscate Chun’s house to recover state debts. The prosecution argued that Chun attempted to hide assets, but a district court dismissed the claim. Family members insist that Lee Soon-ja should retain ownership.
Among South Korea’s deceased presidents, only Chun and his successor, Roh Tae-woo did not earn national cemetery burials. Roh participated in Chun’s military coup and rests in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Other presidents, including Syngman Rhee, Park Chung-hee, Kim Young-sam, and Kim Dae-jung, rest in Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu.
Choi Kyu-hah rests in Daejeon National Cemetery. Yun Po-sun lies in Asan with his ancestors, and Roh Moo-hyun rests in his hometown, Bong-ha village, near Gimhae. The debate over Chun’s burial underscores lingering tensions about his legacy.
Historians and civic groups emphasize that Chun’s burial debate reflects unresolved questions about South Korea’s military dictatorship era. Citizens remain divided between historical accountability and family wishes. The government has not issued a final directive, leaving Chun burial in legal and societal limbo.
